Starting early in the morning, the herd ran along streets such as Phan Dang Luu and Nui Thanh in Hoa Cuong ward, before heading to Bach Dang pedestrian street in Hai Chau ward. Some even crossed Dragon Bridge towards An Hai ward.

Video recorded by residents showing the buffalo herd running on Dragon Bridge and Bach Dang pedestrian street.

Hoang Cong Thanh, Chairman of An Hai Ward People's Committee, stated that functional forces stopped the buffalo herd after they crossed Dragon Bridge. As the buffaloes were together, they were herded into a temporary enclosure, awaiting their owner to complete procedures for retrieval.

Hai Chau, Hoa Cuong, and An Hai wards do not have buffalo or cattle farms. It is highly probable that the herd wandered from Hoa Xuan ward into the city center, a Hoa Cuong ward official commented.

The buffalo herd running across Dragon Bridge. *Photo: Screen grab from clip*

Local authorities are coordinating with relevant units to verify and locate the owner of the buffalo herd for handling. The act of herding livestock in a way that affects traffic safety incurs administrative penalties (though the fine is not high) and may lead to additional civil liability if the animals cause an accident, or even criminal charges if the livestock causes serious accidents.

Nguyen Dong